Calculator

Are you looking for a quick way to have students check their own work? Or perhaps you’re simply ready to introduce your students to the calculator. Yet, calculators run out of batteries, can be hard to keep track of, and aren’t good for much outside of basic calculations.

This free online calculator is ideal for early learners. Featuring color coded buttons, the calculator makes it easy for students to add, subtract, multiply, and divide. Students simply enter the operation using the buttons and press the purple equals sign. Students can also use the keyboard on a computer instead of the blue number buttons if they prefer. To enter a new equation, students simply press the “clear entry” button, clearing the window. The answer to the previous equation appears above the window.

Using calculators in your lessons can help students learn to solve more complex problems. Through the use of the calculator, students are able to focus more on problem-solving and strategy when approaching word problems.

Note on Exponential Notation: Answers are rounded to four decimal places to keep the display simple. Very large and very small numbers will feature an “e” followed by a number. The number represents the number of decimal places to apply to the number to the left of the “e.” If the number following the “e” is positive, the decimal moves right, and if it is negative, the decimal moves left.

• Example: 52e5= 52 x (10x10x10x10x10) or 5200000 and 52e-5=52÷(10x10x10x10x10) or .00052

Visit classplayground.com for more resources and printables related to math.